Difference Between Knowledge and Truth | Philosophy of Patanjali Yoga

What is the Difference Between Knowledge and Truth?

All of us are often told that truth is knowledge. For example, if we become aware of a subject, then we understand that we have acquired knowledge of the truth. However, the premise of truth according to theoretical and physical science is not exactly the same as knowledge. Truth refers to that which is related to the world of matter. According to the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, truthfulness is the result of dependent action and prestige. Truth is proven through practical observation. For instance, if we take care of a mango tree properly, eventually it will bear fruit. In this sense, truth is connected with the external world, whereas knowledge relates to the inner, subtle world.

Knowledge is not just a word; it is composed of life experience and learning. We have all come into this world to live a complete life of knowledge. To explain it beautifully, the Rig Veda provides a mantra that nurtures understanding:

"Totow then for the night ocean ocean: 10,190.1"

This mantra expresses that the eternal law of a living being comes from invisible knowledge, while the relative view of truth comes from the laws of the world. The truth is connected with the external physical body, the sun, and the material world. Knowledge, on the other hand, is connected with the inner world and the soul. The soul is the force of life, and it is from the soul that all living beings receive strength.

The soul is present in all creatures. It is energy that sustains life throughout the universe. The soul’s shadow or reflection brings special joy to all beings, like a creature finding shade under a tree in a desert under scorching sunlight. The soul lives in all beings, and the universe functions through this universal energy.

Truth is subject to change with time, while knowledge is constant and eternal. The two are interconnected by tenacity and penance. Without practice and penance, knowledge and truth cannot fully be realized. Patanjali explains that tapasya (ascetic discipline) purifies the body and senses, allowing the seeker to realize the knowledge of the self.

Knowledge, Truth, and the Soul

The soul is invisible, and knowledge is the energy that manifests the truth. Ignorance is darkness, and by connecting knowledge and truth through yoga and penance, the seeker can unite with the divine. Yoga means union, joining, and connection, where the personal nature of the soul merges with the divine. This process frees the individual from ignorance and leads to the realization of the true self. This is called Kaivalya and salvation.

The Philosophy of Patanjali Yoga

Maharishi Patanjali’s yoga philosophy guides the seeker to discipline the body, senses, and mind. The path of Ashtanga Yoga includes Yama, Niyama, Asana, Pranayama, Pratyahara, Dharana, Meditation, and Samadhi. This traditional and eternal practice ensures no fear or obstruction on the path of spiritual progress. The combination of consciousness (man) and nature (prakriti) creates the universe, and the ego and mind arise from this combination.

The three qualities of nature, Sattva, Rajas, and Tamas, produce the mind, ego, intellect, and sensory experiences. When a seeker removes the cover of ignorance, they realize the conscious soul in its actual form. This knowledge leads to liberation, where the soul becomes free from the cycle of life and death. Yoga, therefore, is the ultimate path to self-realization.

Connection Between God, Knowledge, and Energy

God is formless, just as electricity has no visible shape but manifests energy. Similarly, the soul manifests in the body of any creature as energy. Vedic knowledge describes God as pure wisdom, and the power we use in daily life is a reflection of divine energy. By performing rituals, chanting mantras, and practicing yoga, the mind and inner space are purified, allowing interaction with divine knowledge. This is the way the truth and knowledge are connected through spiritual practice.

Conclusion

The difference between knowledge and truth is subtle but significant. Knowledge is eternal, related to the inner self, and manifests through understanding and wisdom. Truth is relative, linked with the material world and practical observation. The union of knowledge and truth through yoga, penance, and disciplined practice leads to self-realization and liberation. The practice of Ashtanga Yoga, as explained by Patanjali, provides a structured path to achieve this ultimate goal of human life.

Author: Acharya Manoj Pandey